🌙Usrah 2 (4th week) : The Virtues Found in Salah with Khushu'

 

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh 💛

Alhamdulillah, our fourth week of Usrah continued with another insightful presentation, this time by the second group. They delivered a meaningful sharing session on the topic: “The Virtues Found in Ṣalāh with Khushu‘”. Their points were not only informative but also spiritually awakening, they reminded us that ṣalāh is not just a ritual, but a life-changing act when performed with khushu‘ (humility and presence of heart).

📖 What Is Khushu‘?

Khushu‘ is a state of humility, surrender, and attentiveness in prayer. It is when the heart is fully present, recognizing the greatness of Allah and the smallness of oneself. As Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayers with all solemnity and full submissiveness (khushu‘).”

(Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:1–2)

This verse highlights that khushu‘ is not just a recommended part of prayer, it is what leads to true success, both in this world and the next.

🌿 Five Virtues Developed Through Khushu‘

The presentation group highlighted five main virtues that grow from consistent prayer with khushu‘:

1. Al-Tā‘ah (Obedience and Loyalty)

When we pray with khushu‘, we acknowledge Allah’s authority over us. Our actions become not just movements, but expressions of submission. This virtue extends beyond the prayer mat — it shapes how we respond to Allah’s commands in daily life.

2. Al-Jihād (Spiritual Struggle)

Maintaining khushu‘ in every prayer requires constant effort. It is a form of spiritual jihād — resisting distractions, worldly thoughts, and laziness. It teaches us discipline and perseverance in striving for spiritual excellence.

3. Muhāsabah (Self-Reflection)

Khushu‘ enables us to reflect honestly on our actions. During salah, we’re alone with our Creator. It’s a moment to ask ourselves:

Have I been fulfilling my responsibilities? Am I staying true to my values?

This self-reflection builds awareness and accountability.

4. Iffah (Modesty and Restraint)

The presence of khushu‘ fosters modesty — in our thoughts, speech, and actions. A person who bows and prostrates sincerely is someone who has trained their ego to submit. That same modesty reflects in how they interact with others, with gentleness and respect.

5. Tawāḍu‘ (Humility)

The physical act of sujūd (prostration) is the ultimate sign of humility — placing our forehead on the ground before Allah. Spiritually, it reminds us: we are nothing without His mercy. Through khushu‘, our hearts soften, and we are reminded of our dependence on Him.

🌟 A Personal Reflection

What resonated with me most during the session was a simple, but powerful point: Khushu‘ is not something that appears magically, it must be nurtured.

We can’t expect our salah to be full of presence if our daily lives are full of distractions. It takes conscious effort , turning off our phones, making wudhu’ mindfully, reciting with understanding, and reminding ourselves who we’re standing before.

Sometimes, I find myself rushing through prayer, thinking about assignments or chores. But this class reminded me that khushu‘ starts with intention. Even the act of trying to focus is a form of devotion. Allah sees that struggle, and that alone is beautiful.

📌 Practical Steps We Can Take

The group also encouraged us to apply practical steps to improve khushu‘:

• Prepare mentally before entering prayer

• Understand what we are reciting

• Slow down during each posture

• Make du‘ā asking Allah for khushu‘ (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to do this!)

One powerful du‘ā he made:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a heart that does not humble itself.”

(Narrated in Muslim)

🕊 Closing Words

In the end, khushu‘ is a gift, but it’s a gift we must prepare ourselves to receive. Prayer is not just an obligation; it’s an opportunity to connect deeply with our Creator. And when done with humility, it transforms us from the inside out.

Let us strive not just to pray , but to pray with heart, with presence, and with the hope that our salah becomes a source of strength, peace, and nearness to Allah.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.